Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor runs through his latest NBA mock draft and explains why a never before seen scenario in the NBA draft lottery could lead to all three teams with equal odds to land the first pick sliding out of the top four altogether. Hear the full conversation on “The Kevin O’Connor Show” and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.
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Video Transcript
For today’s mock draft, let’s explore a possibility that hasn’t happened before.
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The 3 teams with the 14% odds of landing the number one pick, Cooper flag, all fall out of the top four.
It has not happened yet since the odds were flattened in 19, but there have been 3 instances in which the two of the three teams with 14% odds have fallen out of the top three.
So let’s get into this disastrous scenario.
With today’s mock draft that would leave fan bases disappointed and others very happy, because in the number one pick, we have Cooper flag going to the Brooklyn Nets with this randomized order from Tankathon.
Cooper flag to the Nets, quite obviously, this is what they do.
They have a clean slate this year.
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They have really nothing on their roster besides Nick Claxton and a couple other young guys, but all their guards are free agents.
It’s a Total clean slate in Brooklyn.
If they were to get Cooper, they have a lot of picks, they have a lot of cap space.
They could go in a bunch of different directions with him if they do end up getting #1.
Number 2, we get the Pelicans moving up New Orleans.
Dylan Harper would be an interesting fit next to the existing pieces there, it work with a Trey Murphy type, it would work with a Herb Jones type, but with Zion Williamson.
Is there enough shooting?
Because with Dylan Harper, as much as you like him, he’s a shot creator, he’s a good passer, he’s a great finisher, it’s all of these qualities, all of these strengths, but the shooting, 27.8% shooter on dribble jumpers from two point range, 29.2% from three.
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Can he be a primary creator in an offense that also has a non-shooter like Zion Williamson?
That’s gonna be the big question for him, and I do worry about fit there with him, even though he has so many positive qualities.